Carole A. Fulton

   On July 7,1944 , Cono (Sam) and Conchetta (Zecchino) Aromando were blessed with the arrival of their 6th child, Caroline Antoinette. Born in Glenridge, New Jersey, Carole grew up with her extended Italian family in Roseland, New Jersey and the surrounding area. She received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Caldwell and later was a member of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament parish when it was founded in the 1950’s in Roseland. She was educated in the public schools in Roseland, graduating from West Essex Regional High School in North Caldwell, New Jersey with the Class of 1962. Carole entered the workforce after graduation and remained a hard worker all of her life until retirement. 

   In 1964, Carole married Jackson Riffe and she became the mother of her only child, Jackson Paul Riffe. The couple later divorced when Jack was very young. She raised Jack as a single mother at a time when single parenting was very uncommon. She worked diligently to raise Jack on her own, with help from her father, family and friends. Jack was the love of her life. This experience helped forge Carole into the independent, loving, empathetic, strong and determined person that she was. She always appreciated everything that she had and never passed up an opportunity to help those around her. Even though she had a feisty Italian temperament, her heart and soul were filled with love and kindness for those she knew. 

   Carole met her soulmate and future husband, Don Fulton, while working at Control Instruments in East Hanover, New Jersey. They married on March 28, 1980 and Don welcomed Jack as his own. Don’s family was originally from the Verdon, Nebraska area and they made many trips back to Nebraska on Don’s motorcycle with Carole in the sidecar. Together they traveled throughout the United States, mostly on motorcycles. Don passed away on May 11, 1993 and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Auburn, Nebraska next to his uncle and aunt, Dwight and Bess Griffiths. 

   Carole fell in love with the community of Auburn and moved here shortly after Don’s death. She worked at The Cleaners, Long’s Creek Assisted Living, Good Samaritan and Nemaha County Hospital. After her retirement, she moved for a time to Fountain Hills, Arizona. She missed the Nebraska life and moved back to Auburn in 2022 and remained here until her passing. While living in Auburn, she enjoyed socializing at the Eagle’s Club and the Auburn Country Club. While in her 60’s, she took up the hobby of golfing and enjoyed many rounds of golf with friends in Auburn and Rock Port, MO. 

   In July of 2024, Carole was diagnosed with late stage lung and ovarian cancer. She chose to live out the remainder of her life with grace, dignity and the assistance of St. Croix Hospice, her son and her good friends. She received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick from Father Justin Fulton. She passed away at home after a two week visit from Jack, with her friend Suzzy Thomas by her side. 

   Survivors include her son, Jack, of New York City, New York and special friend Suzzy Thomas and family of Auburn.. She is also survived by many other close friends from the Auburn and Rockport, Missouri area, friends she made in Fountain Hills, as well as nieces, nephews and many cousins from the large Aromando and Zecchino families. A family member who was especially dear to Carole was her “little friend” Michael Donati. 

   Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery south of Auburn with Father Tim Danek presiding. Carole will be buried next to her beloved Don. Carole’s wish was that any memorials be directed to the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad.